Sannyasa Ministry: Become a Sannyasi

Sannyasa Ministry: Become a Sannyasi http://www.iskcon.net.au/sannyasaministry/becomeasannyasi

Sannyasa Ministry Welcome to the ISKCON Sannyasa Ministry site!

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Become a Sannyasi Application form for Sannyasa Within ISKCON Ministry for Sannyasa Services APPLICATION FOR SANNYASA

Please fill in the following information and send to: Ministry for Sannyasa Services• c/o ISKCON Radhadesh • Château de Petite Somme • B-6940 Septon • Durbuy • Belgium, Or to: Prahladananda.swami@pamho.net Please use separate paper from the form to answer longer questions where necessary (on A4 size preferably ).

GENERAL INFORMATION

Spiritual Name Legal Name Date of Birth Day: Month: Year: Place of birth Country of birth Time of birth Address E-mail address Legal Nationality Legal Residency Telephone Fax SPIRITUAL INFORMATION:

Year joined the movement Years of initiation 1st: 2nd: Sannyasa:

Spiritual master Years of re-initiation 1st: 2nd: Sannyasa:

Spiritual master (if not currently a member of ISKCON state which movement he belongs to: Proposed sannyasa guru Asking to take sannyasa

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GBC

Recommending GBC (s) Have signed an oath of loyalty to GBC 1yes, (please send to return address) 1 FAMILY

Marital 1never married 1brahmacari 1married 1divorced status How long have Year of Year of Year separated you been a marriage divorce * brahmacari ……………….. ……………... ………………… ……………...

Wife** Address Service/ Occupation Name Date of birth

Children sex Addresses In Occupation Names school ages

How are wife and children

supported? …………...……………………………………………………………………

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………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………..

What will be their support after you take

sannyasa? ………………………………………………………………..

………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………….…………………… * Please enclose legal separation papers

* * Please enclose written statement by wife that she is in agreement that her husband take sannyasa SCRIPTUAL TESTS PASSED:

Bhakti sastri 1yes, (please send photo copy of diploma to return address) Other

SERVICE: (use separate paper if there is not enough room)

Current service within ISKCON ……………..……………………………………………...…………………………… What is your

preaching experience? (please mention time periods )………………………………………….

………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………

……………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………

What are your future preaching

plans? ………..……………………………………………………………………… ………………………………………………………………………………………….…………….……………………………………………………………………………………………………………….……………….…………………………………………………………………………………………………………………….……………………….…………

What were some of the responsible positions that you have held in ISKCON?

(please mention time periods) ……………………………………………………………………..………………..

………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………

is your experience in leading and training brahmacharis?

………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………

……………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………

! Enclose a separate letter with a resume detailing your devotional career in ISKCON or other

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similar spiritual organizations.

! Enclose a separate letter explaining your reasons for wanting to take sannyasa.

! Please submit letters of recommendation from 5 senior ISKCON devotees (i.e. sannyasis, GBCs, temple presidents etc.) CONFIDENTIAL INFORMATION:

Felonies which one had to serve more than one year in jail 1no 1yes Ever asked to leave a temple because of child molestation? 1no 1yes

Did you ever leave the movement? 1no 1yes When and for how long? ……………… Criminal Have you broken the regulative principles within the last 10 years? record 1no 1yes Please make sure to enclose the following:

r two photos of yourself.

r a signed oath of loyalty to ISKCON.

r legal separation papers from the wife.

r a written statement by the wife that she is in agreement of your taking sannyasa.

r photo copy of Bhakti Sastri diploma.

r a separate letter with a resume detailing your devotional career in ISKCON or other similar spiritual organizations.

r a separate letter explaining your reasons for wanting to take sannyasa.

r Please submit the names of 10 senior ISKCON devotees (i.e. sannyasis, GBC's, temple presidents etc.) who can give an assessment of your qualifications to take sannyasa. (Please send their names, mailing addresses and e-mail addresses)

r Endorsements local GBC & managerial body.

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Relevant G.B.C. Resolutions for Sannyasa Candidacy as of 1997

G.B.C. Resolutions 1975

Resolved: Method of initiating sannyasi: Each year at Gaur Purnima festival, any GBC member can nominate a man from his zone for sannyasa.

G.B.C. Resolutions 1979

5. That the qualifications of a Sannyasi are to be listed, and all candidates are to be examined on the basis of these qualifications before their names are accepted on the list of candidates for Sannyas.

GBC Rules of Order

The Qualifications for Sannyasa:

A. How free is he from sex desire? 1. How long has he been a Brahmacari? 2. How long has he been living away from his wife? B. What is his preaching record? Is it demonstrated his ability to preach strongly? Is he a preaching leader? Has be been doing this for a respectable amount of time? C. Is he very strict in his personal conduct? Is he beyond suspicion? D. Is he philosophically strong? E. Is he willing to accept fully the authority of the GBC and work under the auspices of the GBC?. F. Does he have the proper quality of leadership to train and lead brahmacaries who are under his direction? G. Is he self-reliant? Has he the ability to keep himself continuously engaged in some way which contribute positively to our preaching work?. H. Is the field of his preaching after taking Sannyasa clear and acceptable to the GBC or other authorities?

57. That a grhastha or vanaprastha should not take the sannyasa order, unless: a. the wife is in agreement by writing, and all necessary legal separation papers are provided whenever possible. b. All of the daughters are married or financially independent or of legal majority age c. The sons are self-supporting, or of majority age, and the father has no further legal responsibility d. He has arranged financial support for the wife if there are no grown sons or sons-in-law who have agreed to provide support; and e. He agrees that, in principle, ISKCON is not responsible for such support

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or arrangements.

That a brahmacari be considered for sannyasa only if he has actually strictly followed his vows for at least ten years and is at least forty years old.

In exceptional cases, a man may be awarded sannyasa before the age of forty by a 2/3 majority vote of the GBC Body. (now 4/5 vote) To take sannyasa at the age of 50, one must have been on a waiting list for two years: ! at 45, three years; ! at 40, four years, and ! at 35, five years.

GBC resolution 1991

20. That ISKCON Law 88-57 is modified. Any of the provisions of the requirements for sannyasa waiting list and approvals may be waived in exceptional cases by a vote of at least 4/5ths majority of the GBC.

GBC resolution 1993

74. That the sponsor of a proposal for a candidate for sannyasa should each year give a report of the candidate's qualifications according to the GBC Rules of Order, "The Qualification for Sannyasa." To be put on the list an initial report is required. Thereafter an annual report is also necessary. GBC resolution 1995

22. That sannyasa candidates must meet personally with the Sannyasa committee in Mayapur before receiving final approval for taking sannyasa, unless exempted by the Sannyasa Minister. 23. That candidates for sannyasa must submit their applications in accordance with the GBC Rules of Order and include along with the statement by a GBC member listing the candidate's qualifications to take sannyasa, a letter written by the candidate explaining his reasons for wanting to accept sannyasa.

GBC resolution 1996

110. That applications for sannyasa candidacy should include written endorsements from the local GBC(s) and the local managerial body or bodies where the candidate serves. In addition it should include a resume detailing the candidate’s devotional career. 111. That a standing GBC sub-committee be established to deal with sannyasa matters. Prahladananda Swami will finalize its members in consultation with this year’s GBC executive committee.

GBC Law 1997

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[LAW] 102. That when the GBC Body approves a candidate for sannyasa, they reserve the right to assign the candidate a mission of their choice which may take him far from his previous area of service. Before making such an assignment, the GBC Body shall discuss the suitability of the candidate for the assigned mission with the local GBC, the Sannyasa Committee, the candidate's sannyasa guru and the candidate.

[LAW] 301. That a devotee must pass the Bhakti Sastri test before being placed on the sannyasa waiting list. Those who are currently on the list must pass the Bhakti Sastri test before taking sannyasa. Exceptions to this require a 2/3 vote of the GBC Body.

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